To select a museum, click “Details/Reserve”, then select which Pass to reserve.
Boston Children’s Museum
308 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
617-426-6500 http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Founded in 1913 by the Science Teachers’ Bureau, the Boston Children’s Museum is the second oldest children’s museum in the world and one of the few that maintain a collection. Designed for both children and families, the Museum exhibits focus on science, culture, environmental awareness, health & fitness, and the arts, emphasizing hands-on engagement and learning through experience, and employing play as a tool to spark the inherent creativity, curiosity, and imagination of children.
Categories: Children, Crafts, Family, Technology
Pass Benefits
Admits up to 4 (adults or children) at half price per person.
This pass is sent to you by email. If you don't provide an email address, you will need to pick up a printed pass at the library before reserving your discounted tickets.
After receiving a library discount pass, you must reserve a visit online with the Boston Children’s Museum.
- Patrons must first acquire a dated library discount pass.
- Then visit https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/ticketing
- Review the directions for timed tickets
- Click on the "Discount Programs" & drop down arrow
- Click on "Half Price Library Timed Ticket " to book
- NEW - Online reservations are required to visit PlaySpace.
- The date on the library discount pass must match the date of your visit.
- After arriving at the Museum, proceed to the admissions scanning station with your online reservation and the date specific library discount pass. If you have questions about the online ordering system, contact Orders@BostonChildrensMuseum.org.
This e-ticket is valid only for one day. You can either print it out and take it with you or display the pass on your phone or device. Either way, please be sure that the pass barcode is visible.
Heritage Museums & Gardens
67 Grove Street, Sandwich, MA 02563
508-888-3300 https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Heritage Museums & Gardens is located on 100 acres on the banks of Shawme Pond in Sandwich, MA. The gardens feature internationally important collections of rhododendrons, a comprehensive collection of hydrangeas, a collection of over 1,000 varieties of daylilies, hostas, herb, heather gardens, and more than a thousand varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers along paths. An outdoor “Nature Explore Classroom” facilitates encounters with nature and STEM concepts for children ages 2 through 10. In addition, three gallery buildings house permanent exhibits of world-class automobiles, a working vintage carousel, American folk art, and special exhibitions. There is a café and gift shop on the premises.
Categories: Children, Family, History, Nature
Pass Benefits
Half-price admission for up to 6 individuals (cannot be combined with a group tour plan). Not valid for special events, including Sandwich Halloween Festival and Gardens Aglow.
This pass is sent to you by email. If you don't provide an email address, you'll need to pick up a printed pass from the library before purchasing your tickets.
To purchase your tickets:
- Go to heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/tickets and select Daily Admissions Tickets
- Select the day you would like to visit Heritage. Please note: this must be for the same day you reserved the pass from the library.
- Input the number of tickets and click Update Cart. Upon checkout, please enter the code provided by the library in the Discount Code box and click Apply to receive 50% off our general admission prices ($22 adult; $12 youth) for up to six individuals (adults and/or youth 3 - 17 years old). Children 2 and under are always free.
- This discount code can only be used one time.
- When you are done with your transaction, wait for a confirmation email that will include your e-tickets. Either print them out or have them available on your phone for entry.
Not valid for special events, including Sandwich Halloween Festival and Gardens Aglow.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way, Boston, MA 02115
617-566-1401 http://www.gardnermuseum.org/home/
[Details/Reserve]
The Gardner Museum houses the collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a local patron of the arts who died in 1924, in a building she commissioned to look like a 15th century Venetian palazzo. The center of the original building showcases courtyard plantings that reflect the seasons as they evolve throughout the year. In addition to her collection, which remains displayed exactly she arranged it per her will, there are changing exhibitions, concerts, lectures, family events, and an artist-in-residence program. In 2012, the museum opened an addition designed by Renzo Piano that houses a space for their concert series.
Categories: Art, Family, Music
Pass Benefits
Admits up to 4 people at $5 per person.
This pass is sent to you by email. If you don't provide an email address, you will need to pick up a printed pass at the library before reserving your discounted tickets.
THIS PASS IS VALID ONCE BETWEEN 10/1/2023 AND 9/30/2024
When reserving Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum timed entry tickets online, you will:
- Go to https://tnew.gardnermuseum.org/events
- Submit the promo code in the box at the top of the screen
- Select the visit date and a time to enter
- Add desired number of tickets to the basket. The discount only works for up to 4 Adult priced tickets and any additional ticket will be normally priced (Children under 18 are always free and should be reserved as child tickets)
- Login or create an account
- Finish checking out (discount is applied only at checkout)
This library pass does not guarantee a reservation to the Museum. If you have any issues reserving your tickets, you can call the Gardner Museum's Box Office at 617 278 5156.
PATRONS MUST PRESENT BOTH THIS LIBRARY PASS AND THEIR RESERVED TIMED MUSEUM ADMISSION TICKETS FOR ENTRY INTO THE MUSEUM.
For more information, including health and safety requirements, please visit isgm.org/welcome
Massachusetts State Parks (Department of Conservation and Recreation)
251 Causeway Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114-2104
617-626-1250 http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/
[Details/Reserve]
The Massachusetts State Parks have locations in all regions of the Commonwealth, from Pittsfield to Boston, and from Gloucester to Provincetown. They include beaches, wooded parks, parkways, and reservoirs, each with its own unique activities and amenities like hiking, biking, swimming and boating, camping, and more.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Recreation
Pass Benefits
Admits one vehicle at no charge to any Massachusetts State Park.
This is a returnable pass that must be hung on the rearview mirror. The pass may be picked up on the day of or day before use, and must be returned in the book drop before we open the next day.
List of Massachusetts State Parks that charge for parking
Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
617-267-9300 http://www.mfa.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, in existence since July 4, 1876, is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world, with a collection of almost 500,000 works of art, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary painting, sculpture and video. In addition, there are always special exhibitions on view, opportunities to take advantage of educational programs—some right in the galleries—and a contemplative Japanese garden.
Categories: Art, Family, History
Pass Benefits
Allows the purchase of discounted admission for 2 adults at $10 each (general admission and special exhibition) and up to 4 children ages 7–17 at $10 each (special exhibition only). There is no discount for children 7–17 for general admission, currently $10.
This pass is sent to you by email. If you don't provide an email address, you'll need to pick up a print-out of the pass at the library.
Pass Redemption
- To reserve discounted tickets online, you must visit Tickets, select the date and type of ticket, and enter the promo code on the top right corner of the next page, which will activate the reduced admission rate.
- You will receive an e-mail with your admission ticket(s) and need to present your ticket(s) when you arrive at the Museum, preferably on a phone or device, but tickets printed on paper are accepted.
- You can also purchase discounted tickets on-site at the Museum instead of reserving them online. You will need to present your library pass confirmation email on either a device or a print-out.
Additional Information
- Promo codes and library passes are not applicable toward discounts on shopping, parking, dining, films, concerts, lectures, courses, or any other public programs.
- All prices are subject to change. Discount admission may not be combined with other offers.
The Museum of Science in Boston is located on a piece of land that extends the width of the Charles River, connecting Boston and Cambridge. Dedicated to promoting and educating visitors about science and technology, the museum includes a planetarium, the world’s largest open-air Van de Graaff generator, an IMAX theatre, a butterfly garden, and permanent and changing exhibits on birds, insects and animals; space; dinosaurs; engineering; nanotechnology; math; biology; and more.
Categories: Children, Family, History, Nature, Science, Technology, Sky
Pass Benefits
This pass will admit up to 4 people at a 50% discount on tickets to the Museum’s Exhibit Halls. Children under 3 are not included in the count of 4 and are always admitted for free.
This pass is sent to you by email. If you don't provide an email address, you'll need to pick up a print-out of the pass at the library.
- Your pass can only be used on the date printed on the pass.
- Please bring your library pass when you visit.
- Stop at the Box Office when you arrive at the Museum to exchange your library pass and purchase your Exhibit Halls passes at the discounted rate.
- The pass may either been shown on a phone or on paper.
If you have questions or would like to reserve your tickets in advance, you can call 617-723-2500 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily).
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740
508-997-0046 https://www.whalingmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Opened in 1907, the New Bedford Whaling Museum is focused on the history and culture of the whaling industry as practiced internationally and in the “Old Dartmouth” region of Massachusetts. Over the years, the museum has grown as it absorbed other institutions with similar mandates. The collections boast over 750,000 items which fall into a broad range of categories—fine and decorative art, folk art, photography, domestic artifacts, artifacts that represent the history of technology and industry, books, manuscripts, maps and charts, ethnographic materials, clothing and textiles, and extensive personal, business, and financial records. Highlights include half-scale models of the whaling ship Lagoda and an Azorean whaleboat; five skeletons of various types of whales, including that of a pregnant mother; and art by major American artists such as Albert Bierstadt and Albert Pinkham Ryder. The museum's holdings also include the world's largest collections of scrimshaw and whaling ship logbooks. The Whaling Museum entrance and galleries are accessible to people using wheelchairs and walking aids. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on the first floor.
Categories: Art, Children, Family, History, Nature, Ocean
Pass Benefits
One returnable pass admits 4 at a 50% discount.
Pass may not be picked up until the day before or day of use, and must be returned in the Ventress book drop before 9am the following day.
Purchased by the Friends of the Library in memory of John Kaczorowski.
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
617-973-5200 http://www.neaq.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The New England Aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic animals, from the giant Pacific octopus to Northern fur seals to little blue penguins. They offer a wide range of exhibits, including a shark and ray touch tank and the Giant Ocean Tank, a four-story coral reef featuring hundreds of Caribbean animals. In addition, they have an IMAX theatre and run whale watch boat excursions in partnership with Boston Harbor Cruises from April through November.
Categories: Children, Family, Nature, Science, Ocean
Pass Benefits
This coupon allows 50% off admission to the New England Aquarium for up to 4 people. This is not a ticket. Redeem this coupon in the General Admission line at the Aquarium’s ticket booth for discounted admission for up to four people. Please visit neaq.org/coupons for details.
This pass is sent to you by email. If you don't provide an email address, you'll need to pick up a print-out of the pass at the library.
- Valid only for Aquarium admission.
- This coupon does not provide any other discounts and cannot be applied to combo tickets.
- Library coupons or tickets obtained with library coupons may not be sold.
- Void if altered or copied. No cash value.
- Hours of operation are subject to change.
This coupon is valid only for one day. You can either print it out and take it with you or display the pass on your phone or device. Either way, please be sure that the pass barcode is visible.
Plimoth Patuxet Museums
137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360
508-746-1622 http://www.plimoth.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Plimoth Patuxet Museums offers a living history that tells the story of the English colonists who became known as “Pilgrims” and the Native Americans with whom they interacted. A big draw is the re-creation of the original settlement, populated with interpreters in period dress with whom one may interact that are based on actual historical figures. Native People from various nations in historically accurate dress provide information about the Wampanoag—the first tribe the Pilgrims encountered—at a home site based on how the group would have lived in the 17th century. In addition to the two settlements, the museum includes a visitor center, the Craft Center, barns that contain rare and heritage animal breeds, and a grist mill that manufactures cornmeal. Plymouth Patuxet Museums is also responsible for the replica of the Mayflower, the ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World.
Categories: Children, Crafts, Family, History
Pass Benefits
One pass allows the purchase of a Heritage Pass, Combination Pass, or Plimoth Patuxet Only pass for up to six individuals at the reduced rate of $16 per adult and $10 per child ages 5-17.
This pass is sent to you by email. If you don't provide an email address, you'll need to come to the library to pick up a printed copy of the pass.
Sandwich Glass Museum
129 Main Street, Sandwich, MA 02563
508-888-0251 https://sandwichglassmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The Sandwich Glass Museum is dedicated to the history of the town in which it is located, with a special emphasis on the glass that made it famous in the 19th century. Thirteen galleries display their collection of old and modern examples of glass objects, including roughly 6,000 pieces produced at the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company in the 1800s on the site where the museum sits today. In addition, the museum hosts live demonstrations of glass-blowing. There is a gift store on the premises, which includes work by local glass-blowers.
Categories: Children, Family, History
Pass Benefits
One returnable pass admits 2 for free.
Returnable pass must be picked up the day before or day of use, and must be returned in the Ventress book drop before 9 am the following day.
USS Constitution Museum
Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown, MA 02129
617-426-1812 https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/
[Details/Reserve]
The museum, a part of the Boston National Historical Park, is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard near the ship USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) at the end of Boston’s Freedom Trail. The museum provides a detailed look at the history of the ship, information about the war of 1812, and the battle between the ship and HMS Java. Stories are told through interactive exhibits, unique artifacts, archival records, and artwork. The museum also includes a research library which houses a strong collection of manuscripts, books, artifacts, and microfilm of primary source material. The ship itself is maintained by the US Navy, and may be visited free of charge on certain days.
Categories: Art, Family, History, Ocean
Pass Benefits
One pass allows free admission to the USS Constitution museum for up to 9 people per day. (Note that the ship itself always has free admittance and is open on different days and hours from the museum.)
This pass is sent to you by email. If you don't provide an email address, you'll need to pick up a printed copy of the pass at the library.
Zoo New England
1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121
617-541-5466 http://www.zoonewengland.org/
[Details/Reserve]
Zoo New England operates Franklin Park Zoo, a 72-acre site nestled in Boston’s historic Franklin Park, and the Stone Zoo, located on a 26-acre site near Spot Pond reservoir in Stoneham, MA. In addition to animals, both zoos are engaged in wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education.
Pass Benefits
Coupon can be used to purchase tickets at the door for up to 6 people for admission of $9.00 per adult, $6.00 per child at either the Franklin Park Zoo or the Stone Zoo.